Who Was The Largest Solar EPC In 2012?: For the first time, U.S.-based First Solar became the world's largest

For the first time, U.S.-based First Solar became the world's largest photovoltaic engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor in 2012, with more than 500 MW of projects completed. This total represented an increase of 50% over 2011's total, according to a new report from IMS Research, now part of IHS Inc. The report also revealed that a major shift in global rankings occurred in 2012 due to the explosive growth witnessed in Asia and the Americas at the expense of Europe. Just four European EPCs appeared in IHS' top 10 rankings for 2012. Two other U.S.-based EPCs - SunEdison and SunPower - were also featured in the top 15, installing 390 MW and 190 MW, respectively. "Because of the dramatic shift in demand away from Europe, non-European companies are now completing vast numbers of PV projects around the world," notes Ash Sharma, senior director of solar rese...